Aglio e Olio Pasta
[Weekend Brunch] Garlic-Infused Delight! The Irresistibly Addictive ‘Aglio e Olio’ Pasta
Hello pasta lovers! Today, I’m sharing a fantastic ‘Aglio e Olio’ recipe that you can easily make at home, just like in a restaurant. I made it for dinner last night, and my family loved it so much they asked for it again this morning! While my version might not feature extravagant garnishes, it’s an absolute winner for a simple yet incredibly flavorful home-cooked meal. The olive oil, infused with the subtle sweetness of garlic, offers a delicate richness that’s not too heavy. The aroma of garlic fills the air, and each bite is so tempting, you’ll find yourself reaching for more. Get ready to fall in love with this ‘Aglio e Olio’!
Main Ingredients- Pasta (1 serving, approx. 100g)
- 5 cloves fresh garlic
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 15 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 Tbsp dried red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt to taste
Seasoning & Extras- 1.5 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt (for pasta water and seasoning)
- Black pepper to taste
- 1.5 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt (for pasta water and seasoning)
- Black pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by boiling a generous amount of water for your pasta. Once it reaches a rolling boil, add 1-2 tablespoons of salt to the water. This seasons the pasta itself as it cooks. While the water heats, thinly slice the fresh garlic cloves and break the dried chili flakes in half. Removing the seeds from the chili flakes will help control the spice level.
Step 2
In a wide skillet, pour in the olive oil. Add all the sliced fresh garlic. Cook over low heat, allowing the garlic’s aroma to gently infuse into the oil. It’s crucial to cook this slowly; high heat can burn the garlic quickly.
Step 3
Once the garlic starts to turn golden and fragrant, add the minced garlic to the skillet. Continue to cook over low heat for about 40 seconds, stirring to prevent burning.
Step 4
When the minced garlic is fragrant, add the chili flakes, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Cook for another 30 seconds, still over low heat, allowing all the flavors to meld into the oil. Once the oil is beautifully fragrant, turn off the heat temporarily.
Step 5
When the water is boiling vigorously, add the pasta and cook it for about 1 minute longer than the package instructions suggest. This accounts for the time it will spend cooking further in the sauce.
Step 6
Before draining the pasta, reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water. This water is key to creating a silky sauce. Drain the pasta and immediately transfer it to the skillet with the garlic-infused oil.
Step 7
Turn the skillet back to medium-high heat. Add the reserved pasta water to the skillet and quickly toss the pasta with the oil for about 25 seconds, allowing the sauce to emulsify. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and continue tossing until the pasta is well-coated and the sauce is nicely integrated. (Toss quickly to ensure the oil and water combine smoothly.)
Step 8
Your delicious Aglio e Olio pasta is ready! Serve immediately while hot and enjoy this simple yet satisfying dish.
